Chapter 276: Brother’s Quarrel
"Alright, fine. I’ll make myself at home," Remo responded dismissively, pushing himself up and sauntering towards the bar table, where the decanter of rum and the vacant glass awaited. "I never thought you’d be so angry that you wouldn’t even pour your own baby brother a drink," he continued, bringing the glass to his lips and taking a deliberate sip. Throughout his actions, his gaze remained fixed on Matteo, who appeared engrossed in his work at the desk.
"I know you’re not really working. It’s hard for you to concentrate with your arch enemy in such close proximity," Remo teased, taking purposeful steps towards Matteo. "I never thought I’d witness the day you’d be so riled up," he added, drawing nearer. With each deliberate stride, he sensed the growing intensity of Matteo’s anger. He chuckled lightly, closing the final distance between himself and Matteo’s table, carefully setting down the glass.
"How deeply has she gotten under your skin?" He inquired, leaning forward with a smirk etched upon his face. In the next instant, Matteo sprang to his feet, his fist landing forcefully beside Remo’s face, causing him to stagger a few steps away from the table. Remo turned to face Matteo, a wicked grin adorning his features, as he shifted his jaw sideways, testing its range of motion with his fingers.
"You’ve improved your punches. I never realized love could transform a man like this," Remo remarked with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
Matteo lifted his glass to his lips, consuming the remaining contents in one swift gulp. He closed his eyes tightly, feeling the fiery burn as it coursed through his throat, igniting a warmth that settled soothingly in the pit of his stomach.
"What brings you here?" he asked, sinking back into his seat. Meanwhile, Remo checked himself for any signs of injury, only to feel the familiar sensation of dense liquid trickling down his nose, gradually reaching his lip. He brought his thumb to his nose, wiping it once, a smile forming as he observed the crimson smudge in his hand. "You’ve certainly toughened up," Remo commented with a chuckle, once again taking hold of his glass and downing its remaining contents in one swift motion.
"You really care for her, don’t you?" He pressed further, pulling out the chair opposite Matteo and sinking into its cushion. "So, what’s holding you back?"
Matteo looked up from his desk, his gaze locking with Remo’s serious expression, before returning to his pseudo task. A deep sigh escaped him as he contemplated his reply. "I don’t know," he admitted wearily.
"How can you not know? It’s painfully obvious that you love her," Remo emphasized. The mention of the word ’love’ triggered an expression of exasperation on Matteo’s face.